Computer Networks and Applications (XCA)

The fundamental objective is to introduce all the ingredients that come into play in a computer network. These can be divided into two parts: applications, and the lower levels. In the first part we find the applications that are used by computer networks, such as webs, email, etc. In the second part we find the different types of networks and the corresponding devices and protocols that permit efficient communication with applications.

Knowledges

1. Learn the nature of distributed applications, familiarisation with the most important distributed applications and the protocols they use: Web (and
   
   http protocol), ftp, peer-to-peer applications, e-mail (pop and imap), DNS.
2. Understanding the formats for displaying documents served over the Web.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Introduction to network programming techniques: sockets, remote invocation of operations and objects, programming of Web services.
3. Learn the information transmission mechanisms used in a network: signal, transmission speed (bps), transmission media, limitations to information transmission, cabling.
   
   
   
   The concept of links, and information meshes. Error detection.
   
   
   
   LANs: protocols providing access to a shared medium, Ethernet protocol. LAN equipment: hubs and commutators.
4. IP protocol. Learn the format used by datagrams and the uses of the fields they contain. Mastery of IPv4 addressing, numeration, public and private addresses, subnetting.
   
   
   
   Ability to route a datagram, and familiarisation with routing table is required.
   
   
   
   Basic notions of RIP and OSFP routing protocols.
5. Knowledge of the transport layer protocol and its main functions
   
   
   
   Familiarity with the basic error-recovery protocols: Stop and Wait, Go-Back-N and selective retransmission. Knowledge of the window protocol. Knowledge of
   
   the main characteristics of TCP and UDP protocols. Introduction to TCP flow and congestion control mechanisms.

Abilities

1. Ability to install and configure network applications (particularly Domain Name Servers (DNS), e-mail, and Web applications).
2. Ability to tackle the programming of distributed applications.
3. Ability to analyze the specifications of network devices in order to take decisions on designing and mounting a LAN.
4. Understand manuals describing the configuration of linking and network protocols (particularly IP-related ones). Know-how in splitting a network into sub-nets and assigning appropriate IP addresses.
5. Ability to recognise and solve network faults.

Competences

1. Ability to decide which network applications are needed in a small or medium-sized company.
2. Ability to interpret network application terminology and documentation.
3. Ability to design and choose network equipment for a small or medium-sized company.
4. Ability to decide which services should be contracted from an Internet provider.

The course comprises three hours of lectures per week in which the teacher will set out concepts that can be dealt with in numerical terms, and provide examples for this purpose.

The course also includes lab classes (one hour a week).

Two tests are set during the course (C1, C2), each of which makes up 12.5% of total marks.



The lab grade (NL) makes up 15% of total marks.



The final exam (EF) accounts for 60% of total marks.





The course grade is calculated as follows:







course mark =



0.125 * max(C1, EF) + 0.125 * max(C2, EF) + 0.15 * NL + 0.6 * EF

• Anders Møller and Michael I. Schwartzbach An Introduction to XML and Web Technologies, Addison-Wesley, 2006.
• W. Richard Stevens TCP/IP illustrated, Addison-Wesley, 1994-1996.

• William Stallings Comunicaciones y redes de computadores, Pearson Educación, 2004.
• Andrew S. Tanenbaum Computer networks, Pearson Education, 2003.
• Larry L. Peterson and Bruce S. Davie Computer networks : a systems approach, Morgan Kaufmann, 2003.
• James F. Kurose, Keith W. Ross Computer networking : a top-down approach featuring the Internet, Addison-Wesley, 2005.
• Douglas E. Comer Computer networks and internets : with Internet applications, Prentice-Hall, 2001.

1. http://www.ethermanage.com/ethernet/
   



2. http://www.isoc.org/
   



3. ftp://ftp.upc.es/pub/doc/rfc/11xx/1180
   

Basic knowledge of computer architecture and operating systems.